Tempo (1843)



1843. A very extensive and blessed religious awakening also took place on the Maguiresbridge circuit. One Sunday evening a little girl, the daughter of Mr Robert Orr of Ballyreagh, while singing hymns, became suddenly and strangely affected, was put to bed, and on regaining consciousness began at once to praise God. Such was the impression made on the mind of her father that, on the following morning, he sent for a brother prayer-leader, John Grainger, and they arranged at once to hold a prayer-meeting. This was so largely attended and accompanied with such Divine power that services were continued night after night. Grainger was joined by another prayer-leader, James M'Clintock , and through the blessing of God on the labours of these devoted men, the work spread in all directions, and the whole country was roused. Topped Mountain, Tempo, Ratoran, and Pubble were all greatly quickened, while at Ballyreagh there was not. a Protestant family unblest. James McClintock, the principal agent in this glorious work, was a young man of superior natural ability, mighty in the Scriptures, and intensely earnest Amongst those converted were James Wilson, James Edwards, and Andrew Armstrong of Ballyreagh, and Thomas Hurst of Topped Mountain, all of whom subsequently entered the itine­rancy. The superintendent of the circuit, Mr. William Beatty, writes, "Our March quarterly meetings were all greatly owned of God. We held five of them, not one of which was unattended with signal good. Between forty and fifty persons professed to have received the blessing of pardon." This good work, and consequent lack of sufficient accommodation for those who desired to attend the services, led to the erection of the chapel at Pubble.

'History of Methodism in Ireland', Volume iii, by Crookshank, p333-4.

The Revs. Robert Hamilton and Andrew Armstrong were appointed to Brookeborough, and were greatly cheered with tokens of the Lord's blessing. Mr. Armstrong commenced his labours animated by the hope of seeing sinners converted every week, if not every day; but this did not happen at first, and therefore he became greatly cast down, and thought he had made a mistake in entering the itinerancy. At length, in deep distress, he took the matter to his heavenly Father, and asked Him in mercy to decide it at the succeeding love-feast at Tempo by giving him to see the conversion of souls if it were the Divine will that he should remain in the work, or by withholding this token if he should return home. At the close of the love-feast the young preacher announced for a prayer-meeting, and proceeded to give an invitation to penitents to come forward; but before he could utter many sentences the people flocked up, and ere the meeting ended nine professed to have found the Saviour. This proved the beginning of a blessed and successful time.

'History of Methodism in Ireland', Volume iii, by Crookshank, p467.

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